Report: Pelicans Sign Forward Josh Smith With Injury Hardship

One day after superstar forward Anthony Davis exited a game with a knee injury (MRI results were negative), the New Orleans Pelicans have signed veteran forward Josh Smith under the injury hardship exception, according to multiple reports, and first reported by The Vertical.

Smith, 31, spent the first 9 seasons of his NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks, who drated him out of high school with the 17th overall pick. He won the NBA Slam Dunk competition his rookie season.

After his time with the Hawks, Smith played for the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in his NBA career.

Last season, Smith played for the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association. Last month, he played briefly for the Maccabi Haifa B.C. of the Israeli Premiere league on their U.S. preseason tour.

Smith is close friends with New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins.